So I'm currently in this weird state with my school situation. As it stands, I'm in college and I'm about half way done with my lower division units in the california community college system. I was looking at going to Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach, University of California Riverside, or Cal Poly Pomona. However, my brother lives in Texas and is somewhat close to University of Texas, Austin. I was looking at school rankings and UT is ranked #6 in finance. I would have a possible job when moving out there if I got into UT. But I'm not sure if it's entirely worth it. I'd be leaving everything behind in California and starting over (again) in a new state strictly for school. On top of that, I would be paying out-of-state fees for the school (around 18-20k a semester). Would it be worth it? What do you guys think? any experiences with UT? Any stories, any thoughts, ant input would REALLY help. I probably wouldn't make the move for another year, more or less; but I just want to get some info and thoughts before really considering making that big of a jump. Thanks guys!
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Try transferring to UCLA/USC/Berkeley if you can...
IMO, there's no reason to go to an OOS public university when you're from California, home to the best public university system in the world (and in-state tuition).
No absolutely not. That is the worst idea I've ever heard.
Let's break it down what you're saying...
You can either do two more years in California at in state fees. or 'start over' so four years(??) at 30-40k/year at UT.
So just doing some cost benefit, do you think that the benefit from UT is worth 2 years of your time and about 120 thousand dollars? If your answer is yes you are too stupid to enter finance. /tough love, don't go into that debt bro (or worse, make your parents pay for it).
It wouldn't be starting over, but instead of transferring to a Cali school i'd be going to UT. It'd be less expensive in terms than going to USC or Stanford, really. Berkeley would be the best choice, but getting in is the issue I guess. Then again, I guess getting into any of them are going to be equally as difficult. Like I said, I'm just playing around with ideas.
depending on your stats, I second the transfer to UCLA/Berkeley opinion. though I'm not sure how they handle transfer, my friends majoring in biz econ in UCLA and obv Haas at berkeley place well upon graduation
I second UCLA/Berk as well. But if that is not an option, I'd go to UT if you want to have a shot at BB. If BB is not your goal, just go to the Cal school with the best finance or fin engineering program.
UT Austin is a great school. I would go there if I was in your situation, but the real question should be whether you can afford paying the tuition without going 100K in debt or something. For finance, it's a good school that can get you a top job, especially if you're targeting Houston, but obviously isn't a Harvard or Yale where 50% of your class could theoretically have a shot at banking or whatever. It's clearly the best school out of UCR, Cal Poly, CSUF, etc, etc so this should be a no brainer as long as you can afford it. Just keep up solid grades, join finance clubs and you will have a good shot at landing a job in finance.
What would your thoughts on USC or Stanford or another private university be? Just so long as I can afford it? I'm not specifically looking for BB, more so looking at getting into AM and ER, and trying to make way into a global macro HF. I'm majoring in finance, minoring in econ, so that's literally what I'm aiming for eventually.
USC and Stanford are definitely worth it if you can afford it...Stanford especially, but they take like 1% of transfers. USC takes a lot more. Berkeley/LA take quite a bit of transfers too. IMO if you can't get into UCLA as a transfer, you probably won't get into UT-Austin either. Try to stay away from UCR, Cal Poly, CSUF, CSULB, ect...zero recruiting there.
I was looking into UCLA and they don't offer undergrad business programs. Only a business economics major, which i'm thinking isn't the route I want to take. I guess I should just try and shoot for Berkeley or USC and Stanford, and somehow figure out the affording it part. Thanks guys. This really does help. I was set on trying for Fullerton, but I knew I should get second, third, fourth, etc. opinions from first hand experience. Haha
Berkeley Haas/Stanford will be extremely hard to get into. USC is more reasonable, but UT Austin would be a bit better for some things IMO. Getting a job in NY/East will likely be easier from UT as opposed to USC, though it seems like you're interested in the west coast. For "match" schools, I'd try to apply to a few UCs, just in case the private schools don't work out. Schools like UCD, UCSD, and UCLA are majority Asian, so that might be a different culture from what you're used to (you look white from your pic). A place like UCI, UCSB, etc would set you up pretty well for a MSF program because they are well known. Also don't be dissuaded to attend a school because it has "zero recruiting" as someone pointed out, because most schools are like this outside of the very top schools like the ivies. Look at the faculty who teach finance classes at the Uni and get a better understanding of their background and experiences, because they could help. Also I would only consider a CSU if you could save a substantial amount of cash, and even then, I would be totally focused on getting a top masters degree (not necessarily finance) at a UCB, UCLA, etc. This would look better than paying for a "private school" like Pepperdine or some shitty place like that. Claremont Mckenna is good though.. But it also depends on your goals, because the world of finance is very diverse. School prestige might not matter as much for some small boutique or specialty shop, as it would for a firm with an extensive HR screening team that formally recruits on campus. I would also consider aiming for a CFA, because that will provide you with a solid network in your fields of interest at a very cheap price in relation to a degree program, but get it after getting an entry level job, because an employer may be willing to pay for it.
thank you so much for the input. I have some kind of crazy variables to everything. I'm looking at getting into AM and ER, or if I can, directly to HF. I have the ability to gain residency in texas to avoid the crazy OOS tuition, and some other stuff that could help me pay for UT. But I am more looking more for jobs on the west coast, although when it comes down to it, after school it's whatever will benefit me the most. That's why I'm really willing to do whatever it takes to get into the best schools. My GPA isn't the best right now, but I've kind of had these realizations that I need to start rethinking my situation and plans and get my ass into gear. I've been bouncing ideas and such all over the place and been trying to get some input and insight, and you guys have really helped me out a lot with all of this. Realistically it won't even be another year or more until I can even get into one of the schools, so I'm just going to start applying and see what happens. Again, thank you guys so much. Any other input, advice, etc. is still greatly appreciated if anyone wants to add anything.
You can always go to a mid-tier UC and then do an MSF/MiM
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